I was stoned last night, watched Episode 9 on Bluray. And it was the same as I remembered it being when it was released last year. Uneven pacing, tone whiplash, insufficient time spent on really emotional events (JJA did 3P0 wrong on so many levels)

But even with all that, I still get drawn in, seated comfortably in the actual /story/, the in-universe events being portrayed on screen. And I'm glad that even with all the new lenses and commentary and analysis about Star Wars I've consumed since I watched Episode 4 when I was...4? 6? (very early in my uptime), I'm glad i can still see and appreciate the magic that is doing its best to shine through layers of corporate committee control, decades of merchandising, and the stigma of an (at times!) over-possessive fanbase that struggles with nostalgia, sexism, and racism.

This is not the first time I've been entertained by something with really bad execution. And Force willing, I hope something better will show up after about 20 years to give the world a chance to process and be ready for the next thing.